Joanne and I have 2 sons and 4 grandchildren and in the past weeks we have hit the Familial Lottery! In that period Grandkids Ruby, Maggie and Jackson visited us in Key West in a whirlwind of eating, sunning, talking, swimming, shopping, laughing, biking, drinking, socializing, chilling, showing off and front porch sitting. I know I've gained at l …
When I was a boy I was made aware of the "Red Scare" (fear of the spread of Communism). It was an abounding tsunami of hate and recrimination abroad in the land. For instance, people were called before congressional committees, found in contempt and jailed for refusing to name names of alleged communists or "fellow travelers." Most prominent in t …
Legend has it that cockfighting abounded in Key West and was a Hemingway favorite. Then it was outlawed in 1986 and the roosters were set free. Unfortunately, in 1998, Hurricane George spread the fowl all over our tiny, pristine Paradise and they have been multiplying ever since. You know why a rooster crows, don't you? Mitigation has failed misera …
Being a pet lover came late for me 11 years ago when a little black, female Schnoodle (Schnauzer/Poodle) entered my life. She is aptly named (by my wife Joanne) Charcoal and pictured. To be honest, it was not love at first sight, but, day by day, she grew on me until she stole my heart. To say I love her is an understatement! That brings us …
I have had a beard since 2011 and on and off before then. The most compelling reason therefor is the luxury of not having to shave each morning. In my curly haired case, shaving was probably more daunting than for others. Call me lazy or practical, I'm one satisfied non shaver! Not only does my beard add stress free minutes to my day, but, obvi …
The other night, we were having dinner with friends at a restaurant and there was a call on Joanne's phone. Normally, because we were out for dinner, she would have let it go to voice mail. However, this time, for whatever the reason, she answered and handed me the phone saying it was our friend Paul. I took the phone and wise cracked "Why are yo …
Recently, a friend, a recovering alcoholic, told me she had a "high bottom", a term I was unfamiliar with. Too proud to ask, I later looked it up and learned that "high bottom" connotes an alcoholic who recognizes the problematic nature of their drinking early on and decides to pursue recovery before hitting a more severe low. Well, it was news t …
No doubt, climate change is wreaking havoc. Be it hurricanes (water) or Fire. This time, it is the horrible Santa Ana wind blown LA fires. My words can not describe the damage and tragedy they have wrought! What I can do is support a Gotham initiative spawned by Gotham Hall of Fame member Bruce Swicker (Networker of the Year 2022). Bruce, who l …
We saw the new Dylan movie, A Complete Unknown, this past weekend and it was so good that I can't wait to see it again (and for a post 1965 sequel)! Of course, I am his contemporary and it resonated on the growing up together level, it was like Edward R. Morrow's bygone "You Are There" TV series. The performances are extraordinary, with at leas …
Concentrating on the bright side of a unique, complicated year my positive highlights are:1) Appreciable Gotham growth and community 2) Visiting mile marker 823) Grandson Shawn becomes an Eagle Scout4) Shawn and sister Ruby compete in Gotham Battle of the Bands5) A good friend is cancer free6) Family picture on Rao's wall7) 4 months without Drinkin …
Last week I wrote about my most poignant Christmas memory, it involved my mother giving and then taking away a prized toy top on Christmas Day when I was a little boy. I wrote the blog from the heart and was surprised by how much credit my mom received for inspiring the birth of Gotham when she whispered to me "It's better to give than receive."W …
With Christmas days away, I would like to share my most poignant Christmas memory. I was about 3 or 4 years old and I vividly recall opening presents with my mom and dad under our Christmas tree. And there was this very very special present, which I remember all these years later as a whirling dervish, spinning top which I activated by pulling a s …
If you have found me to be pushy (excessively or unpleasantly self assertive or ambitious) lately, I apologize. Blame it on my ambition. Ambition is a good trait, as is self assertion and, in this case, it resulted in favorable results for the Gotham community in general. Partially because of my pushing, the Gotham Foundation Season of Giving …
Gotham's mantra is that "It's better to give than receive, but what goes around comes around." If you live it, our mantra works in countless magical and wonderful ways. It is truly the verbalization of the Soul of Gotham!One of the many manifestations of our mantra is our annual Season of Giving initiative. Last year, the Gotham Foundation made …
One of my goals in life is to continue to "be in the traffic" (and remain relevant). However, if you want to be in the traffic you need to deal with the congestion.And so it goes...
Fridays With Fred
A perfect way to send you into your weekend